Category: Education

Come and Try Festival 2023

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 Come & Try Festival 2023 

Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, 4 April – 12 April

A group of young people posing in their disciplines

Widening Access to the Creative Industries (WACI) is delighted to announce that applications for our Come and Try Festival are now open!

Whether you’ve got loads of experience already or you want to try something for the first time, the Come and Try Festival is for you! It’s a great way to get your creativity flowing, work with experienced artists and meet other people with the same interests as you.

Throughout the Easter holidays the festival takes place at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland – and best of all, it’s all free to attend! 

Festival Programme:

Setting the Scene:
An Introduction to Production Arts and Design 
Tuesday 4 April, 10am-5pm

Explore Your Artform
Wednesday 5 April, 10am-4pm

Woodwind Performance Techniques
Thursday 6 April, 10am-4pm

Let’s Get Technical
Friday 7 April, 10am-4pm

Let’s Get Acting
Tuesday 11 April, 10am-4pm

Storytelling Through Sound and Screen
Wednesday 12 April, 10am-4pm

Who is it for?

The festival is open to all secondary school-age pupils. Priority places will be given to pupils who:  

  • attend a FOCUS West School  
  • live in an SiMD1 postcode  
  • Care Experienced or Estranged  
  • Black, Indigenous, or a Person Of Colour 
  • Seeking Asylum or Refugee  

The festival is also open to: Transitions students, Aspire North Students, Leaps Students, Lift Off Students 

Contact Us

If you require any information or have any questions about any of our activities and events, contact the team at: waci@rcs.ac.uk

So You Want To Be A Music Teacher?

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 So You Want To Be A Music Teacher? 

Open Evening for Young People and Info Sessions for Teachers

Young woman pointing to sheet music next to a student saying 'So you want to be a music teachers'?

Fair Access is excited to announce two new sessions for those looking for more information about the training that is available to those interested in music teaching:

BEd (Music) Online Open Evening for Young People

Where: Online
When: Tue 28 March
Time: 5:00pm – 6:30pm

Want to find out what it would be like to study music teaching? This online open evening is a great opportunity to:

  • find out about our BEd (Music) programme from the people who teach it
  • interact with other young people interested in music
  • meet some of the current students and ask them all your questions
  • find out how Fair Access can support you in applying and studying at RCS

BEd (Music) In-Person Information Session for Music teachers

Where: City Halls, Glasgow
When: Mon 22 May
Time: 3:30pm – 4:30pm

Join us as Mairi Warren, Music teacher and lecturer on the BEd programme, talks about how RCS and Fair Access build the music teachers of tomorrow! In this session you can hear about:

  • what your pupils can be doing now to get ready to apply
  • how Fair Access can support eligible pupils via our free Bridging Programme
  • hear from current students on the BEd

 Get In Touch 

If you have any questions or queries, email: fairaccesshello@rcs.ac.uk

Bachelor of Education (Music) Audition Prep

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 Monologue Audition Prep 

7 & 14 November, 6 – 8pm

Two students with violins looking at teacher

Are you interested in studying to become a music teacher at College, University, or Conservatoire?

Sign up and join us in person at RCS for our workshops to help you prepare for your audition/interview!

Taking place from 6pm-8pm on Monday 7 & 14 November, the two workshops will be a great opportunity for you to: 

  • Prepare for the Audition/Interview Scenario
  • Receive Feedback and Top Tips
  • Ask questions about the Audition/Interview Process

Booking Deadline: 2nd November

Remember, it can be any music education course that you are applying for at any institution to attend this workshop. You just need to be eligible to attend by being a WACI or Transitions student.

Not sure if you’re eligible to join WACI? Check on our website at: rcs.ac.uk/waci It’s free to join and all our events and activities are free for those who are eligible to sign up.

 Get in touch 

If you require further information or have any questions, get in touch with the team at: waci@rcs.ac.uk

Apply Now To Become A Fair Access Ambassador!

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 FAIR ACCESS AMBASSADOR PROGRAMME 

September 2022 through to Summer 2023

⭐️ Applications are now open for our Fair Access Ambassador programme ⭐️

Young people sitting chatting in student area

 What is Fair Access? 

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is an inclusive and diverse environment. We want to encourage as many people as possible, regardless of their background, to get involved with the performing and production arts. The Fair Access department at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland run two programmes – Transitions and WACI – alongside our Fair Access Outreach and Partnership programme. 📽 Watch more here.

 The work of Fair Access Ambassadors 

Our Ambassadors work alongside our staff to help promote and provide information on opportunities around entering into the performing and production arts and our Fair Access activities and events within their local schools and communities. In return, our Ambassadors gain experience within the arts sector, working with people, and developing teamwork and communication skills alongside bespoke training opportunities.

 About you! 

The Ambassador programme is aimed at those aged 16+ who are passionate about the performing and production arts. You will meet the WACI eligibility criteria or be a current Transitions student. Checking your emails regularly, having good knowledge in social media, clear communication skills and being comfortable in social situations are an advantage.

 When will I need to be available? 

Aside from normal Ambassador activities, you will be available to attend our Ambassador meetings either at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland or via Zoom:

▪️ Residential Weekend: 2 – 4 September
▪️ Meetings: 20 Nov 22, 18 Feb 23 and 17 Jun 23.

 Sounds good, where / how do I sign up? 

Our application form will ask you to fill in your personal details and write a short response to the following questions:

▪️ Why are the arts important?
▪️ How would you promote the arts within your community to young people?
▪️ Why and how would you commit to being a Fair Access Ambassador?

*Alternatively, you can attach a short video (2-3 mins) that answers the questions above.

 Completing you application 

To complete your application we ask that you provide a reference from someone you know who is involved in the arts. This can be a teacher, tutor, community practitioner etc.

Get in touch 

If you require further information or have any questions, get in touch with the team at: fairaccesshello@rcs.ac.uk

WACI x RCS Summer School Scholarships

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 SUMMER SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS 

Now Open for Application

WACI are delighted to announce that our scholarships for RCS Summer Schools are now open for applications. 

Young people playing strings in an orchestra

Each WACI pupil can now apply for a fully-funded place on an RCS Summer School of their choice (subject to availability). Taking place throughout the summer holidays, these courses offer you the chance to try something new or develop your existing experience within your chosen art form.

Summer School Availability

There are a whole variety of summer schools to choose from in Dance, Drama, Music, Film and Production. Visit the RCS Summer Schools website here to see the selection of courses you can choose from. Some of the courses are very popular where spaces fill up quickly. We’ll be assessing applications as and when they come in, so get your application in as soon as you can to avoid being disappointed!

How to apply

1. If you haven’t already, firstly register with the WACI programme

2. Then, fill out the application form to let us know:

  • a little bit about you
  • why you would like to do the course you have chosen

If it would be easier, you can provide a voice recording or video statement in support of your application.

Deadline for applications

Monday 6 June 

 Get In Touch 

If you require some help filling in your application or have any questions, get in touch with the team at: waci@rcs.ac.uk

Announcing: Come and Try Online Festival 2022

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 COME & TRY ONLINE FESTIVAL 

Short Courses, Masterclasses and In Conversations, 5 – 15 April

WACI are delighted to announce that applications for our Come and Try Online Festival are now open! 

Image mixed with photo and graphics and text. Schoolgirl on a stage looking at an ipad.

Whether you’ve already got loads of experience or you want to try something for the first time, the Come and Try Online Festival is a great way to get your creativity flowing, work with experienced artists and meet other young people who are into the same things as you are. 

Taking place from 5 – 15 April, all of the workshops and Q&A sessions will take place on Zoom – and best of all, it’s all free!

 Programme of Events 

In Conversation
These sessions are for everyone:

Making Music on a Budget

Combating Barriers in the Arts

Balancing your Mental Health with your Artform

Short Courses
Open to secondary school-age pupils: 

Let’s Make a Scene

Let’s Make Music

Storytelling for Film 

Masterclasses
Open to secondary school-age pupils: 

Musical Theatre

Costume Design for Theatre

Devising Monologues 

Improvising and Accompanying in Music

Production for TV and Film

Button that takes you to registration formDeadline for booking: 29 March

 

 Priority Places 

Please note that priority places will be given to pupils who are in the West of Scotland that: 

However, the festival is also open to: 

 Contact Us 

If you require any further information or have any questions, get in touch with WACI at: waci@rcs.ac.uk

Creative Clusters - Spring 2022

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 CREATIVE CLUSTERS 

Spring 2022!

Fair Access at RCS are planning two clusters of creative activity for Spring 2022, in Ayr and Easterhouse, Glasgow.  Our Easterhouse Creative Cluster will be based at Platform, and see workshops delivered for young people in partnership with GMAC Film and an RCS CPP artist.  This will provide participants with a taster of both artforms and offer opportunities for continued activity with Fair Access. 

We hope to work in partnership with local community organisation FARE and to offer pre-projects tasters at Lochend Secondary School.

For our Ayrshire Creative Cluster, we will offer local people a project exploring spoken word and sound design / production.  We hope to work once more in partnership with the Gaiety Theatre, South Ayrshire Champions Board and the music departments of local secondary schools.

For further information regarding these Creative Clusters you can contact our Fair Access Outreach and Engagement Officer, Louise Brown, on: L.Brown5@rcs.ac.uk

Audition and Interview Prep Workshops: Drama and Music Teaching

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

WACI are delighted to offer new workshops in November for those who are thinking about applying to study at college, university or conservatoire for drama or music teaching:

Monologue Audition Prep

When: Mondays and Wednesdays, 1-17 November,  6-8pm
Who: For pupils who will be required to perform a monologue as part of an audition process when applying for a higher education course in drama.

Our audition prep will:
Yellow star Help you select monologues
Yellow star Prepare you for the audition scenario
Yellow star Receive performance feedback

Booking Deadline: NOW FULLY BOOKED

 

BEd Audition and Interview Prep

When: Tue 2 Nov and Thu 4 Nov,  6-8pm
Who: For pupils who are thinking about studying to become a music teacher

Our audition and interview prep will:
Yellow star Give you an understanding of the BEd course at RCS
Yellow star Prepare you for the audition and interview scenario
Yellow star Receive feedback on your audition pieces

Booking Deadline: Bookings now closed

Does it cost anything to attend?

All our workshops are fully-funded opportunities for those in the West Coast of Scotland who are:

Contact Us

📧 WACI@rcs.ac.uk
Please be aware that the data provided on registering will be shared with our partner FOCUS West. For details on how we manage your data, please see our Privacy Notice at www.rcs.ac.uk/policy/privacy/

 

Fair Access Expo 2021

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

We’re excited to announce that bookings for our upcoming Fair Access Expo are now open!!! 

Come along and join us on Thursday 4th November for open discussions around Widening Access to the Arts. 

We are delighted that the wonderful screen actor Julie Hesmondhalgh will be opening the Expo, sharing her passion for the arts and its power to transform lives and communities. We will also be sharing stories and flagging up opportunities for people interested in a career in Dance, Drama, Music, Film, Production, Theatre and the Performing Arts. 

This year, the main discussions that you can take part in are:

 Young People as Champions of Widening Access to the Arts 
A group of young people will come together to share their experience of choosing the arts as a pathway. We’ll delve into what it’s been like and how they see themselves moving forward.    

 Where Theatre Meets Film 
In this discussion we will hear from theatre-makers and filmmakers and people who do both – we will explore the many varied opportunities that are available in Film and theatre and how both practical and creative disciplines can straddle both art forms.   

 Being Working Class in The Arts 
A career in the arts is not always celebrated as a life choice or even as an option at all – in this panel we will hear from a panel of speakers from working-class communities who have forged creative careers, often against the odds.   

Registration now closed!

Head over to rcs.ac.uk/fair-access-expo to watch again

Attention all teachers and community groups:

If you would like to make a day of it and are able to host the event streamed live into your classroom/space, we have goodies!!! Register your interest in hosting a live stream of the Fair Access Expo to your young folks and we will send you through a box of goodies to give out on the day. Request your pack in Question 4 of the form by telling us roughly how many young people you are hoping will attend. The event will run from 12noon – 3pm. 

Apply Now for the Bachelor of Education (Music) with Honours at RCS

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

Bachelor of Education (Music) with Honours:
Inspiring tomorrow’s teaching
Application deadline: 15 Jan 2021

Teacher with hands raised in demonstration mode, smiling at students. Can see backs of students heads.

The Bachelor of Education (Music) with Honours at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is the only undergraduate programme in Scotland dedicated to teaching the next generation of music teachers within a conservatoire setting. This vocational programme offers musicians an alternative to a performance career – where they can study their passion for music and education for four years at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and then progress to inspire and nurture young people in classrooms.

Why choose RCS?

• Study at one of the world’s top 10 performing arts education institutions (QS World University Rankings 2020)
• Inspire and nurture young people in classrooms
• Guaranteed probationary year of employment (Scottish, UK and EU students)
• Starting salary is approx. £27K
• 100% of graduates are in employment (HESA, 2017/18)
• Gain provisional registration with the General Teaching Council for Scotland
• Have the choice to balance a part-time career in teaching with a freelance career in music

What’s it like being a Music teacher?

RCS Graduate Claire Friary tells us:

Teacher at front of the class with hand gesture towards class.“I graduated from the BEd Music course in 2017. I completed my probation year at Coatbridge High School and I was lucky enough to be kept on after this year and eventually made a permanent member of staff in early 2019. I am now in my 4th year of teaching at Coatbridge High and I absolutely love every single day of my job as a music teacher!

The BEd Music course leaves you well-equipped with all of the necessary tools to become an excellent music teacher. I undertook 5 different placements during my undergraduate degree (1 in primary, 4 in secondary) which gave me a magnitude of experience across schools with all ages and abilities.

Last year, I was appointed the Musical Director of our annual school show. I have also been involved in plenty of whole school initiatives outside of my subject, such as organising the S5/6 Winter Wonderland Ball and supervising in the Pupil Support Base and Learning Zone.

The best part of my job is watching pupils grow and flourish in music. I have witnessed so many young people come through the ranks in my department now and it is so rewarding to see their enthusiasm, determination, and progress over the years.”

Bookings are now closed.